On the go and no time to finish that story right now? Your News is the place for you to save content to read later from any device. Register with us and content you save will appear here so you can access them to read later.

Also worth considering is the relative strength or weakness of the New Zealand dollar, compared to your destination's currency.

While our dollar is currently weak against the British pound and the United States dollar, it's strong compared to the South African rand, the Brazillian real and the Japanese yen - it might be well worth travelling to Cape Town, Rio or Tokyo this year.

Get your passport out and start planning now.

February: Hong Kong

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. The dry, cool winter weather brings crisp, clear days - which can be a lot more pleasant than its hot, sticky summers. February is also a great time for shopping and bargain hunting - this is when most shops, malls and markets offer fantastic out-of-season sales.

Check out the rich culinary scene in Buenos Aires when it's cooling down for autumn, but still warm enough for short sleeves. There's street food, fine dining and amazing wine - be sure to check out an authentic Argentine barbecue. Buenos Aires is also known as a cultural hotbed, with historic buildings, cemeteries and art galleries.

In the first week of March last year, a night in a four-star room was only ARS 757 ($85), 30 per cent cheaper than its most expensive week. It's a good reason to take advantage of Air New Zealand's new direct flights to the country.

April is a great time to visit the hilly, historic city of San Francisco. In spring, the weather is mild but sunny, with a dramatic sea fog that rolls in over the bay in the evening or at sunrise. It's a great time of year for a ferry ride across the bay to Alcatraz, or a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

London is never going to be a cheap destination, but it is possible to some good deals on the usually sky-high accommodation rates. As the May bank holiday falls on the 2nd this year, the weeks before and after are likely to bring the best deals. Plus, London turns it on in spring - it's the beginning of the city's outdoor season and there's plenty to take in.

June is an ideal time to visit Beijing - there aren't any big Chinese national holidays and it's on the cusp of the tourist season. You'll skip the oppressive summer heat and the city and other attractions won't be too crowded. Beijing is a city with a lot of fascinating history, but it's also very modern and fast-paced. Head to attractions like the Summer Palace if you need to slow down and chill out a bit.

Escape New Zealand's cold weather by heading across the ditch to Australia's joke of a winter. Sydney's subtropical climate means there will still be blue skies and pleasant temperatures - as well as the lowest accommodation rates of the year. With fewer tourists, but plenty of great shopping and cultural festivities on offer, it'll break up the winter for sure.

The "concrete jungle where dreams are made of" has notoriously stuffy, overbearing summers - but by August, things are cooling down to a more pleasant degree. However, the summer vibes are still going strong - there are outdoor events like Central Park's SummerStage popping up all over the place.

Much like London, it's never really "cheap" in Rome, but in September you can get a lot more bang for your buck. August gets extremely hot and is further complicated by the traditional holiday Ferragosto which runs from August 15 until September and many stores and restaurants are closed as a result. September brings a much more relaxed atmosphere.

October brings bursts of colourful flora and mild, sunny weather to this South African city. With temperatures in the mid-20s and longer days, it's a great time for whale watching or to check out the glorious views from Table Mountain.

While many hope to visit Rio during Carnival season, visiting in spring means much cheaper accommodation and far fewer tourists. If you're more interested in relaxing than the excitement of festivals, it's a great time to stake out a space on one of the many golden beaches, while still experiencing the nightlife and cultural hotspots of the city.

Why not skip the stressfulness of Christmas and head to Vegas for a holiday instead? It's a constant party, with endless shopping opportunities - perfect for treating yourself to some Christmas presents. While it's winter, you'll still enjoy cool, but sunny days, with an average high of around 14C.

January is a great time to visit Melbourne because the unpredictable weather of December has normally settled down, and there are lots of events on and things to do. In order to save money, make sure your trip falls before the Australian Open starts later in the month.